Former Missouri Football Player Michael Sam Weighs In on Protests
— -- University of Missouri students, including football players, are standing up against alleged incidents of racism at the Columbia, Missouri, campus, and now one famous former Mizzou football player is voicing his support.
Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL, tweeted today, "If Mizzou is truly a family, then WE all must stand by #ConcernedStudent1950."
Sam tweeted again from a crowd on campus this afternoon, saying the Mizzou family "will protect each other."
Sam also posed for a photo in Carnahan Quad.
The ConcernedStudent1950 protest organization, which says it represents every black student at the University since 1950, when the first black student was admitted, released a list of demands last month that included university President Tim Wolfe's removal, as a part of a protest over the way the university has handled alleged racial harassment.
Recently, the student government president complained about being called a racial slur and a swastika in feces was found in a dorm bathroom, according to the AP.
During homecoming, protesters confronted Wolfe, but he did not get out of his car, the AP said.
Running back Russell Hansbrough tweeted this weekend that the athletes of color on the Missouri football team "will no longer participate in any football related activities until President Tim Wolfe resigns or is removed due to his negligence toward marginalized students' experiences."
Head coach Gary Pinkel then tweeted in support of his players, writing, "The Mizzou Family stands as one," along with a photo of the team.
The university's Board of Curators has set a special meeting scheduled for today and the university athletics department said it would provide further comment this afternoon.
Wolfe said in a statement Sunday, "We are open to listening to all sides, and are confident that we can come together to improve the student experience on our campuses."
"We want to find the best way to get everyone around the table and create the safe space for a meaningful conversation that promotes change," Wolfe said. "We will share next steps as soon as they are confirmed."
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